Seriousness covered the boy's face after the teleportation circle's ntion. Forget about the grimoire. They'll be executed way before if anyone found out. "Be careful not to expose yourself. Truthfully, don't use it at all!" He exclaid, afraid his big brother would draw terrible problems upon them.
"Don't worry. I'll only use it for ergencies, and I don't believe Arun will speak about it," Adam said, raising his thumbs to reassure Julius. "Vikram and Shepard already know I possess it, so they'll cover for us," he confidently added.
After their last misadventure, he thought about counterasures to prevent similar situations. Unwilling to see the kids in such poor physical states again, he painstakingly learned the circle's uses and morised its drawings until he could complete them perfectly. After all, he knew better than anyone how incredible it could be if effectively used.
Reassured, Julius equipped his armor, boots and vambraces, feeling their effects. With Adam's recomndation, he picked items with passive enhancents, making his already powerful body a natural weapon.
Then, the duo knocked on Elysia's bedroom door to awaken her, ready to jump into the lion's jaws.
To their surprise, her green hair fluttered alongside the opening door. "I'm ready to go," she said, dark circles visible under her eyes. Clearly, she failed to rest, too stressed or excited by their mission.
"Alright. Lead the way," Adam said, knowing better than to waste ti on useless questions.
With determined nods, the trio left the house. Under the starlit sky, they stealthily returned to ground level before walking to the massive engraved tree. The muffled sound of their steps on the grass echoed as they warily observed their surroundings, hoping no one would spot them.
Fortunately, Elysia's understanding of the guard's shifts proved accurate. Every day, they would slack for about ten minutes before changing with the day's team, allowing them to move unnoticed.
Five minutes later, they reached a beautiful wooden gate engraved with magic symbols unused by humans. However, the duo frowned at the guarding chanism. Thick thorns barred the entry, promising a painful experience to any trespasser.
With a finger on her lips to command silence, Elysia whispered, "Starting now, every second lost will be a disaster. Don't make noises, don't speak, or better, don't even breathe!" Then, channelling her mana, she used the invisibility spell she told them about yesterday. "Aelrunil," she muttered, grabbing Julius' shoulder.
Simultaneously, the boy's figure beca transparent, letting starlight filter through it before he entirely vanished from their visions.
"We have five minutes to reach the underground. We can't see you anymore, so be sure to follow!" she added, her voice echoing her seriousness as she walked to the thorns. With elegant movents, she retrieved the magic wand resting on her belt before muttering ancient elvish words. Then, she conjured a flimsy mana blade to graze her palm.
The thorns shook lightly, as if awakened by her blood dripping on the soft soil. Gradually, they moved, opening a passage for her after five seconds.
Subsequently, she signalled the duo to follow her inside. Since only Selene's blood descendants could use this entrance, the lax security played in their favour. Thus, she fearlessly raced on the wooden floor, her mage's robes dancing behind her.
Without wasting ti, Julius sped after her, his steps light. Anyway, with her speed, he felt no different from walking, making his movents soundless as he gazed at the luxurious carvings.
Contrary to human manors, Elysia's family sculpted the furniture and decorations directly from the tree's trunk, making them a part of the habitation. Impressed by the craftsmanship, he gazed at the inscription-filled tables, paintings, and displays supporting various Elven items. 'They really respect nature,' he thought, understanding their harmonious approach.
Yet, ti was of the essence, cutting his admiring session short as Elysia stopped before a corridor wall no different from the others, startling him.
"In the na of Selene's descendant, laranor thiraen," she said, her heart pounding against her chest as she placed her bloodied palm on it.
A soft rumbling noise echoed her words, gradually intensifying while dust rose from the ground. Then, under the duo's bewildered eyes, the wall sunk into the floor, revealing a dark flight of stairs.
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"Wait for here. I'll draw the guards. Rember, don't make any sound!" She whispered, stepping into the dark passage. So far, everything has gone well, too well. 'Despite the low security on the first floor, we should have t soone on our way,' she mused, wondering if they were lucky or if she beca paranoid because of the stress.
Dismissing her thoughts, she scrambled down the stairs, jumping them two by two until she found herself in the wide underground complex. Two mages lazily guarded it, their eyes conveying their tiredness and their heads bobbing occasionally.
In a flash, she roared, "I'll plunder the treasury today! See if you can stop , Eldarion's dogs!"
Alerted by the sudden disturbance, the mages sobered up, grabbing their wands while squinting their eyes to identify the threat. However, upon seeing Elysia, one of them said, "Pff. It's just our niece pranking us again."
"We are working, kid," the second guard said, smiling warmly before adding, "I developed a delicious new variety of tea. Co drink it with us in the afternoon."
"..."
Stunned into mutism, Elysia gazed at them, her lips twitching briefly. "I'm serious!" She yelled, channelling mana. "Root smash!" She exclaid, conjuring thick roots to wipe the area around her friendly family mbers. 'Sorry, uncles,' she thought, a pang of guilt assaulting her heart.
Yet, she rapidly dismissed her emotions to direct her spell to wreak the ground as far as possible to activate traps according to their plan. Then, under her uncle's befuddled gaze, she turned and raced to escape.
"Not good. She activated the alarm!" The guards exclaid simultaneously, deep frowns covering their foreheads. They had to catch her to explain the matter to Eldarion, or the man would lock the entire city down until he found the thief.
"Troubleso brat! You went too far this ti!" The second mage yelled, launching himself to chase her while readying his spells.
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